Charter School Residency Program
Bring a life-changing jazz program to your students without increasing demands on your staff.
“I love Jazz Empowers. They offer a high quality, hassle-free, student centered program that engages students and transforms their lives.”
- Charter School Principal
100%
High School Graduation Rate
82%
Charter School Retention Rate
Program Overview
Jazz Empowers runs a year-long jazz program at your school that can take place during the school day or after school, meeting 2–5 times per week. Jazz Empowers provides a lead instructor to teach and direct the program, supplies free instruments and equipment for all participating students, and implements a proven curriculum with over 10 years of success. Programming fees vary depending on the scope of the program, but a jazz band that rehearsals 2 times a week for the entire school typically costs between $24,000 and $27,000.
Partnership Model
Jazz Empowers and our partner schools each play a vital role in building and sustaining high-quality jazz programs.
We Provide
Instructors
Professional jazz educators who inspire and mentor students.
Instruments
High-quality instruments so every student has the tools to succeed.
Curriculum
Engaging, standards-aligned jazz curriculum and learning resources.
Schools Provide
Program Fee
Annual program fee that helps sustain instruction and resources.
Space
A safe, accessible space for rehearsals and instruction.
Point Person
A school staff member to coordinate and support the program.
Programming Options
Bucket Drumming
Grades K-5
Available for grades K–5
Students develop a foundation of rhythms and grooves through performance on bucket drums
Cheapest programming option
Minimum of 45 minutes of rehearsal each week
Jazz appreciation and history is also integrated into the curriculum
Average Cost for School Year – $15,000
Group Jazz Piano
Grades 3-12
Available for grades 3–12
Students learn jazz piano in a group setting
Students develop a strong foundation in melody and harmony
Students get their own piano keyboard and can practice independently with headphones
Minimum of 60 minutes of rehearsal each week
Average Cost for School Year – $20,000
Jazz Band
Grades 5-12
Available for grades 5–12
Most popular programming option
Students play in a jazz band
Students can play one of the following instruments: trombone, trumpet, saxophone, piano, guitar, bass, and drums
Minimum of 150 minutes of rehearsal each week
Average Cost for School Year – $24,000–$27,000
What Our Partner Schools Say
“Jazz Empowers has been a highlight for our school. Whenever we are doing our school tours families always ask if we have music to offer our scholars and when they hear we have a jazz band it seals the deal. Our scholars also love learning how to use instruments and perform during the finale show. It has really helped them to build their confidence and social skills. I would definitely recommend Jazz Empowers to any prospective schools.”
Rochelle Bodie
Charter School Adminstrator
“We have had an incredible experience with Jazz Empowers! We are in our second year with the program and in such a short amount of time, we’ve seen our scholars grow tremendously and become confident performers and become more invested in school overall. Our partnership with Jazz Empowers has truly been transformative for the culture of our school.”
Marry Arrigo
Charter School Administrator
What Our Jazz Bands Sound Like
Below are examples of what jazz bands in our Charter School Residency Program sound like.
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No, we have specifically designed our curriculum for students without previous musical training.
We also have differentiated resources for any students who already have experience playing music.
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Each school pays Jazz Empowers a customized programming fee. We work with each school to design a program that fits their specific needs, so prices can vary. On average, the cost of our typical programs is:
• $24,000–$27,000 for a jazz band
• $15,000 for a bucket drumming program
• $20,000 for a piano program -
Everything. We provide a highly qualified instructor to lead the program, instruments for all of the students in the program, and full curriculum.
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We can operate the program as either a class or as an after school program.
However we have found the program works best when it is after school for elementary and middle schools and a class for high schools.
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Yes. As part of the programming fee we provide instruments to all of the students in the program.
All of the instruments that we provide become the partner school's property upon delivery.
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Our most popular programming option is our jazz band offering. In this offering, students learn one of seven jazz band instruments and learn how to play together as a band. This is open to grades 5-12.
We also offer group jazz piano and bucket drumming classes. Piano is offered to grades 3-12. And bucket drumming is offered to grades K-5.
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Once accepted into the program, we work with schools to develop a scheduling plan that works for both the school and the jazz program. Below are the minimum rehearsal lengths we need each week.
Jazz Band - At least two rehearsals a week for a total of at least 150 minutes each week.
Jazz Piano - At least one rehearsal a week for a total of at least 90 minutes each week.
Bucket Drumming - At least one rehearsal a week for a total of at least 45 minutes each week.
We also help charter schools to help find, hire, and train full time music teachers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring A Jazz Program To Your Students
Sign up for a call today to talk with our leadership about how we can bring a impactful jazz program to your school.